Experienced | Successful Solutions | Satisfied Clients
Todd Roen has 25+ years’ experience providing creative legal representation to Indian tribes and their interests.
After working in-house for two years each with the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians and the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, Todd spent sixteen years with one of the premiere small boutique Indian law firms in the Midwest. During that time, he acted as legal counsel to numerous Indian tribes, and their gaming enterprises, businesses, housing authorities, schools, and child protection programs.
Todd launched Roen Law PC in September 2016 to better provide his clients with personalized attention and creative/cost effective legal solutions.
When not practicing law, Todd enjoys training and competing in triathlons, and being on the back of a horse whenever possible having owned and shown half arabian and quarter horse reiners.
Education and Admissions
Education
J.D. University of Minnesota Law School (1996) – Minneapolis, Minnesota
ABA Moot Court Competition Team (Regional Finalist) – Student Director
B.A. University of the State of New York (1992) – Albany, New York
Political Science Honors Program
Admissions
Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Carolina
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
Tribal Court of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
Spirit Lake Tribal Court
Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Tribal Court
Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Tribal Court
Representative Transactions and Cases
100M+ Hotel Project
Advised the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community on Indian law issues related to the formation of a tribally-chartered limited liability company, and the LLC’s subsequent 100M+ investment in an off-reservation hotel project.
IRS Audit - LIHTC Projects
Successfully represented the Spirit Lake Housing Corporation in an IRS audit covering five years for several low income housing tax credit projects; obtained “no adjustments” letters for all years in question.
Cell Tower Lease Agreement
Assisted the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians with its plan to improve cellular service on and near the reservation, to include obtaining a cell tower lease agreement with New Cingular Wireless, as well as negotiating the necessary land lease agreement, sublease agreement, and corollary agreements between the tribe, the county, and the company.
Publishing Initiative
Advised the Superintendent of the Tate Topa Tribal School concerning a textbook proposal exploring Spirit Lake Dakota history, to include advice on the variables to consider when entering into a publishing relationship/agreement with a publisher or an author.
Judgment Enforcement - 700K+ Settlement Agreement
Represented the Shakopee Mdewakanton SIoux Community in a tribal court judgment enforcement matter, to include post-judgment litigation and proceedings, including obtaining discovery from the judgment debtor, and ultimately negotiating a settlement agreement for payment in the amount of 700K+.
25M+ Casino Expansion Project
Negotiated the construction contracts for a 25M+ casino expansion project at the Dakota Magic Casino & Hotel for the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake Traverse Reservation.
Drafting of Tribal Laws and Regulations
Drafted and secured appropriate approvals for tribal laws and regulations covering a broad spectrum of areas, to include but not limited to a gaming enterprise ordinance, a tort claims ordinance, an economic development authority ordinance, and tribal utilities commission regulations.
Tribal Gaming Enterprises
Negotiated, drafted, reviewed, and revised significant numbers of contracts for various tribal gaming enterprises, covering the gamut from software licenses to gaming device leases to mixed martial arts fight agreements and everything in between.
Auto-Owners Insurance Co. v. Tate Topa Tribal School
Auto-Owners Insurance Co. v. Tate Topa Tribal School, 495 F.3d 1017 (8th Cir. 2007); successfully represented the Tribal School and Tribal School Board in an appeal of the District Court’s denial of the tribe’s motion to dismiss in a declaratory judgment action filed by the school’s insurer.
Ortley v. SWO Child Protection Program
Ortley v. SWO Child Protection Program, CV-06-06-12 (NPITCA Apr. 11, 2013); successfully represented the Tribal Child Protection Program at the trial court and appellate levels in a tort action.
Lohnes v. Tate Topa Tribal School Board
Lohnes v. Tate Topa Tribal School Board, CV-04-04-06 (NPITCA Nov. 24, 2008); successfully represented the Tribal School Board in an appeal of the Spirit Lake Tribal Court’s denial of the tribe’s motion to dismiss in a tort action.